Metallic beam



(No Model.)

A. E. KRAUSE. METALLIG BEAM, GIRDER, POST, &c. No. 522,736. Patented Jul10, 1894.

E 2 F E a F J J J 5 D 0 H M 7 no 7 4 HA 7/ r 4 m B j a Z z W 6 Z f W 1 a70 W 7 j H P 57M 3 7 B ya & A y w! B M B fig F a! m J W W a F membersand connections.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR E. KRAUSE, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY.

METALLIC BEAM, GIRDER, POST, 80c.

sPEcIFIcArIon forming part of Letters Patent No. 522,736, dated July10,1894.

Application filed March 26,1894.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ARTHUR E. KRAUSE, a citizen of the United States,residing in J ersey City, in the county of Hudson and State of NewJersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in MetallicBeams, Girders, or Posts, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to metallic beams, girders, posts and the like, andits object is to provide a construction thereof which will readilypermit theconnection or attachment of various building materials to thesame, by

means of nails, spikes or hooks and also to provide spaces or openingsfor the ready insertion of tie pieces and other structural By myinvention a construction is provided which is a superior fire-proofsubstitute for the ordinary wooden studding or timber-work, and by whichan entirely fire-proof metallic frame-work is produced. Whereconstructions with a somewhat similar object in view have been devised,they were limited to sheet-metal only, having a comparatively thincross-section, by reason of which the elasticity of the material couldbe utilized in a very limited manner. The general application of suchconstructions, however, is therefore confined to lighter work and notapplicable to building purposes generally.

My invention consists of a beam, girder, post or the like, and comprisesin its primary form, or shape two angle-irons having the faces of theircontiguous flanges so fastened and fixed with respect to one anotherthat there is a separating space formed between the faces of the saidflanges, by means of Washers or other suitable means, and so that two ofthe contiguous edges of said flanges either by special shaping or bygiving them the desired inclination, are adapted to firmly engage nails,spikes or other suitable fastenings driven sufficiently far into thesaid space so as to cause the partial springing apart of the flangeswith a force proportional to the strength or elasticity of the metalused, the edges of the contiguous flanges engaging serrations in thenails or spikes.

My invention further consists of a beam, girder, post or the like whichcomprises a central web or metallic plate to which angle- Serial No.505,084. (No model.)

pieces or irons are fastened or riveted, one flange of each angle-ironbeing separated from the said central web by a narrow space ofdiminishing width, said angle-iron being so shaped as to have the edgeof its riveted flange bent andinclined toward the said cen tral web,thereby forming a lip or projection which firmly engages any nail orspike driven sufficiently far into said space. And my invention, furtherconsists of certain other specific features, constructions andcombinations to be hereinafter described and then particularly pointedout in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 represents a cross-section of myimproved beam, girder or post. Fig. 2 representsa side view of a brokenportion thereof. Fig. 3 represents a cross-section of my improved orspecial angle-iron, which is one of the essen tial features of myinvention. Fig. 4: represents an elevation of the preferred form of nailor spike used in making attachments or fastening other structuralelements to the beam, girder or post. Fig. 5 represents a cross-sectionof a modification, showing the improved angle-iron as applied to Z-barsor irons. Fig. 6 represents a cross-section of another modification,showing the improved angle-iron as applied to the ordinary channeliron.Fig. 7 is an enlarged transverse View of a modification, showing aslightly different form of angle-iron, one flange being drawn thinner togive more spring to the same in case it is desired to have the otherflange of heavier section.

Fig. 8 shows an adaptation of my specially shaped angle-irons withoutthe interposition of a central piece or web,

when required for lighter beams or posts. Fig. 9 shows a beam similar toFig. l butwith ordinary angle-irons in combination with specialwashersfor making the contracted space.

Similar letters of reference refer to similar parts in the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, letter A indicates in Figs. 1, 2 and 7 a flatmetallic plate or member forming the central web of the beam, girder orpost to be constructed.

B, B, indicate my specially formed angleirons which are riveted to eachside of the plate or web A, the foot b of each angle-iron being arrangedapproximately at right-angles to the web, and the flange 12' extendingto* ward the longitudinal center-lineof the web. The free edge of theflange 'b' of each angleiron is preferably bent or inclined inwardlytoward the central web so as to provide alip or toe b which is formedwith anapproximately-sharp or acute edge. In this manner the inner facesof the riveted flanges b are caused to converge so that the spacebetween them is contracted at the edges of the riveted flanges. Theedges a of the'web A are preferably rounded-off, and when theangle-irons are secured to the web, the foot-portions of the oppositeangle-irons will lie in about the same plane and on each side of saidrounded edges. Between the angle-irons and the central web suitablespacing washers G are placed and through the whole the rivets orfastenings D are passed and headed on the outer faces of the, flanges bof said an gle-irons, whereby the parts are rigidly and firmly con:nected together.

The washer G separates the riveted flanges of the angle-i rons from theweb so that a space or opening (2 which diminishes in width is formed,the same being adapted for the reception of the nails or spikes to bedriven in when spiking other material thereto, as also for the insertionand connection of other structural parts which may be necessary in theconstruction of fire-proof buildings; such parts being then preferablyfastened by rivets or bolts as may be desired. As the inner surface ofthe riveted flange of each angle-iron converges to- Ward the central Webthe width of the open space at one edge of that surface is made lessthan the thickness of the washers C to the end that the springerelasticity of the metal from the center of the rivet to the end of thetoe or edge of the angle-iron can be utilized to firmly hold the spikesor nails in place when driven through the space.

In Figs. 1 and 2 an unflanged web or central plateis employed, fourangle-irons B being riveted thereto, two being located at each side.

InFigs. 5 and 6, Z-irons and channel-irons or beams are respectivelyshown, only two of the improved'angle-irons being employed, the

flanges of the Z or channel-irons being used for strength only. V

A slight modification is shown in Fig. 7 in which. the edge of theriveted flange of the angle-iron B converges toward the web as before,but it is also tapered in order to obtain sufficient spring in caseheavier angle-irons are used. This construction is especially deaOrdinary' intervening space, are ordinary metal washers such as are usedfor bolts and as shown in connection with the above-described forms. Ialso use specially shaped washers W, see Fig. 9, the same being thickeron one side than on the other in orderto form a space, a portion ofwhich is diminished in width, as in the other forms shown. In this casethe riveted flanges of the angle-irons B, B, are inclined atobtuse-angles to the other flanges so that when they are properlyconnected to the T-shaped member T and separated by such Washers as W,the inner faces of the riveted flanges converge toward a common pointand the edges of the same will be located nearer together at said commonpoint than at any other parts thereof.

When fastening planks or other structural parts to my improved beam,girder or post by means of nails or spikes e, they are preferably formedas shown in Fig. 4 with teeth, serrations or suitable burrs, and thenails or spikes should be approximately of equal diameter to thethickness of the washers. The said nails I or spikes are driven into thespace (1 between 7 the Web member and the springy or yieldingleg of theangle-iron, thus wedging and springing outwardly the lip or toe b of thelatter, the spring or elastic force of which holds the 5 nail or spikeagainst the web member with a force proportional to the thickness orstrength of the metal from the rivet above to the lower andconverging-edge of the angle-iron. The 9 edge of the lip will enter theserrations of the gnails or spikes thus giving a positive grip orclinch. The nails or spikesare consequently prevented from being readilywithdrawn.

, I do not limit myself to any specialdimensions or thickness of metalin the construction of my improved beams, girders or posts, f the natureof the requirements dictating such considerations to the manufacturer.Attention is therefore drawn to the fact that by %means of my speciallyshaped angle-irons and fwashers in the various combinations shown,

my improved beams, girders and posts are applicable to the heaviestpossible constructions, as well as to the lightest, and by reason of theseparation of the constituent parts from one'another by an opencontracted space- ;they afford facilities for connections of otherstructural pieces not admissible in other hitherto used beams, girdersand posts.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent- 1. A beam, girder or post, comprising, incombination, a metallic structural member of suitable shape, and anangle iron having a springy or yielding leg, said angle-iron beingsecured to said member, so as to provide an open space ofdiminishingwidth between the contiguous surfaces of said structuralmember and the leg of said angle-iron, substantially as set forth.

2. A beam, girder or post comprising in IIO combination a centralmetallic web-member, one or more angle-irons secured thereto in suchmanner as to provide open spaces of diminishing width between thecontiguous surfaces of said central web-member and the angle-irons,rivets or means for securing the angle-irons to the central web-member,and spacing means or washers for regulating the width of the spacesbetween the angle-irons and the aforesaid central web-member,substantially [O as described and for the purpose as set forth. Intestimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed myname in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ARTHUR E. KRAUSE. Witnesses:

PAUL GOEPEL, K. R. BRENNAN.

